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Thursday, September 13, 2012

My New Online Workshops with Creativebug!

Have you all heard about Creativebug? They are a super cool new San Francisco-based company that produces online craft and DIY videos. They have a host of amazing teachers like Natalie Chanin, Heather Ross, Anna Maria Horner, and Liesl Gibson, so of course I was psyched when they asked me to be involved. One of the first things they did was come out to my place in Beacon, NY, and shoot a trailer which you can view above. It's kind of a mini-documentary where I got to talk all about sewing and feminism--and also try to get my pets on camera as much as possible. (Look for Rosie at 00:19! She's wearing a hot pink felt rose!)

Then last week I got to go out to San Francisco (which only my New York pride is keeping me from declaring the best city ever) and film a whopping four workshops. Yesterday, the first was released! It's a class on how to make these super cute retro tap pants. (If you click the link, you can watch the intro for free.)

The class shows you how to draft an easy pattern based on your own measurements, work with slippery silks, apply a picot elastic waistband, and finish the bottom with lovely scalloped lace. My favorite part about this class is the custom fit element, no doubt.

Tomorrow, a second workshop will be released that shows you how to sew a petersham ribbon facing on a pencil skirt. This is a great alternative to a fabric facing, especially in thick winter wools (like the amazing plaid Harris tweed you see below).

Creativebug is a monthly subscription site, so once you join, you get access to every single video on the site. The content doesn't end at sewing--there's book binding, embroidery, knitting, crochet, and lots more. I politely asked Creativebug to give you all a little discount, and they enthusiastically agreed! So until the end of October you can use the code GERTIE10 to get $10 off your membership. Click here for all the various membership options and sign up.

What a lovely video, I enjoyed hearing about your beginnings with sewing and why you started. And being a native of SF, I can officially declare SF the best city ever (then again, I'm super biased since I haven't been to NYC yet)!

What an amazing site! I love that I can have immediate access to not just your tap pants class (which is exactly what I wanted to sew this week with some awesome berry rayon lining from my stash) but also a fan Anna Maria Horner maxi skirt, and Debbie Stoller showing my how to knit cables! It's the indie craftgirl's dream come true really!

I love the video intro, it's so stylized, but you come across perfectly as you.

Hi Gertie, I just wanted to let you know I received a review copy of your book from Abrams and I love it! I can't wait to bone up on my skills and hopefully sew a pencil skirt. Thank you for being such an inspiration. I have a book review on my blog with a giveaway: http://www.aestheticnest.com/2012/09/review-gerties-new-book-for-better.html

I love the video! So fun to see you in "real life." I have to tell you, I got your book when it was released a few weeks ago and I am IN LOVE WITH IT!! I read it every free chance I get...and with young children, those free chances are few and far between. But I carry your book with me everywhere I go so I can read it at any chance I get. (I try not to read it at stoplights anymore, because that just makes the people behind me really mad.) As a self-taught sewer, who knows the basics, I feel like I've already learned SO much from your book. I just finished the high waisted pencil skirt in a dark, crisp denim and it is, by far, my favorite thing I've ever made! It was so easy and the fit is perfect and so flattering! I'm about to start on another one in a different fabric. Just had to tell you all that. I love your blog! Love your book! You're the best!

Oh that's so great to hear! And yes, you could definitely draft pants from this. Just make sure that you measure each leg opening to see if you'll have enough thigh room. If not, you can add more ease at the hips and then extend that line down.

All of the above applies to me too, I would say - I enjoy your Craftsy classes, the book is ordered (here in The Netherlands) and on its way, and I love the video and your sense of style. Congratulations on this new step! So glad we'll be hearing and seeing more from you.Monique

Just got your book yesterday and have already recommended it on my blog to my readers, of whom many are interested in sewing. I think it's an excellent book. I love the design, the thought behind it, the patterns and the dresses.Good job!

Oh I love your clothes! Love the red and white polka dot blouse. Just adorable! I just bought you coat pattern and the dress pattern from butterick and am waiting on my copy of you book! Can't wait til they all arrive!

what a gorgeous intro video! Gertie, you're fabulous, you stay at dressmaking as Madonna stay at pop music! you're definetely my sewing Diva ever! I run out of money this month, but I will sign up for this next month! congratulations! and ehy, I received my copy of your book this week, it's perfect :-)

squeee! i am so excited for you. and so hyped. you are the cutest sexiest thing on legs and even though im probably 15 years older than you, i want to be you when i grow up lol. ;)everything you do in so beautiful and inspiring. congrats on this new deal!i'll stop going all fan girl on you now ;P

I love that you have the tap pants video, it's like you were reading my mind. I've been wanting to make some for a while now but I'm stumped on material to use. I've looked at lining fabrics at my local store but they all seem too stiff and I'm looking for something more slip-like. Do you have any suggestions on where to find what I'm looking for?